Today I want to introduce a great newly published author…Jan Fischer-Wade. I’m so excited for her as she announces her new e-book, Veiled Virtues.

Veiled Virtues Blurb: When Paige Stewart left America to house-sit in England, her only thoughts were to get away from her controlling mother and to have fun. Little did she know that her working holiday would find her hearing eerie voices, experiencing alarming dreams and bleeding from old scars. Although Paige's differences confuse and disgust her, she opens up to the shopkeeper of a strange metaphysical store in town, where she finds much more than tarot cards and crystals. Soon, Paige is stalked like prized game. Relentlessly pursued, her holiday takes a turn for the eerie and dangerous. Her only saving grace may be a modern-day English knight who sweeps her off her feet and recognizes the true virtues the American teen unknowingly possesses.

Doesn’t that book just sound delicious? Mmmmm. But, now let’s find out a little more about Janet and how she ticks…Right Jan?

Thanks Charlie. Glad to be here. I’m anxious to meet our reader and let them in on a few little-known facts about me.

Night owl, or early bird? I am definitely a night owl! While writing Veiled Virtues, I would write after the kids would go to bed until at least 11pm. With that book, I actually wrote long hand on <gasp> paper and then transcribed it later to my computer. I am definitely not an early bird, and love sleeping in on the weekends!

If you had 24 hours alone how would you spend it? Sleeping and writing!

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. Modern day English knights are just plain all-around hot – ‘nuff said!

Any other books in the works? I am hard at work finishing the sequel to Veiled Virtues with a working title of Latent Legacy. It continues the characters’ journeys and delves a bit deeper into the dark side.

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters? Music influenced my writing a LOT . Here are some of the songs I would listen to for inspiration while working on various parts of the book:

Metallica – Hero of the Day – Theme song for the Rosetta Guard

Rob Zombie – Feel so Numb – Theme for the sparring / fighting in the book

Nickelback – Burn It To the Ground – Theme for the Brotherhood of Cerberus

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I would love to live in the countryside of England ! I’ve been there twice, and fell in love with the history, culture and people.

What is your favorite Quote? “Fake it ‘til you make it.” I’m not sure who first said it, but it was my sister’s mantra while she went through grad school. I found it very fitting for my debut novel!

What's the craziest writing idea you've had? That my character would give birth to the second Christ and he’d be named JC2. This totally never materialized, but my husband and I still laugh about it.

Hidden talent? I can name, from memory, all 50 states in alphabetical order in less than 30 seconds. Do you want to know how I did it? Sorry, can’t tell. If I told you, well, then I’d have to…get a new unique talent!

What was your favorite children's book? A Fish Out of Water and all the Richard Scarry books.

Nickname? Coincidentally, it was “Fish” growing up! A lot of friends still call me that and was based on my last name.

And here is an excerpt from Veiled Virtues. Enjoy!

Meeting Nathaniel:

Movement at the back of the store caught my eye and I peered over a shelf of books to get a clearer view. When the man turned around, I let out an audible gasp. He stood at the counter, sorting through the contents of a box in front of him, and his striking facial features hit me hard — ruddy cheeks, pink lips, perfect cheekbones, and a strong jaw, all topped by blonde, tousled hair. Aside from lacking a bronze tan, he looked like he belonged on a California beach. His entire being was just exquisite. Gorgeous.

When he suddenly looked up and caught my gaze, I was shocked at the crystal-blue eyes that met mine. I closed my gaping mouth and quickly looked away. A few seconds later, his smooth voice melted me.

“Can I assist you with anything in particular?”

It was the sexiest British accent I’d ever heard.

“Um, no,” I answered, feeling a rush of blood shoot to my cheeks. I pretended to be seriously browsing through some things called smudge sticks.

“What brings you in here today?” He started around the counter toward me, smiling.

“Just, uh, checking out some shops in town,” I stammered, and gawked at his lips and teeth fit for an actor in a toothpaste commercial. The outline of his chest muscles under his lightweight fitted navy t-shirt made my already warm cheeks grow tingly hot.

Wow, no wonder all the girls have crushes on him.

“Are you on holiday from America ?” he asked, apparently noticing from my American accent or lack of an English one that I was not British.

He walked closer to me. “Um, no. I’m, uh, house-sitting this summer for the Cooks, Nigel and Stephanie. Do you know them?”

“Dr. Cook?”

“Yes, and, um, her husband Nigel is an administrator at the school place, uh, cottage — I mean college,” I responded, tripping over my words and undoubtedly sounding like a bumbling idiot. He grinned.

Thanks for visiting with us today Jan. And I hope everyone checks out Veiled Virtues.C.K. Volnek

So, you want to write a novel? Well, did you know 83 percent of American adults dream of becoming a published author? (According to "Produce, Publish, Publicize") Few will complete the elusive manuscript and even fewer will have their books land in the hands of the readers. And it is said that less than 2 percent of authors will ever become rich from their book sales.

Sigh, but there are those of us who will always strive to catch the brilliant streamers of that star, no matter what; to hope and pray for our written children to grow up and join the published world to entertain and enlighten our readers. For some, like me, we write because our muse won't let us NOT write. For others, it's the lure of the dream, complete with fame and fortune. And while there are those who can catch the star of fame and ride it into the heavens, blazing like a natural phenomenon, the rest of us must continue to stroke our muse to study and hone our craft, sharing our stories with all who would come our way. It's not an easy choice, but one sometimes we can't make for ourselves...what with that devilish little muse whispering in our ear all the time. But as in the brilliant words of Maxine, "When life seems like an uphill climb, take comfort in the fact that you're mooning everyone behind you."

Though I know this isn't new by any meI found the YouTube clip, 'So You Want to Write a Novel' by David Kazzie, so humorous and true of the many dreamers who don't fully understand what goes into a writing career. Rather than write an entire blog about the do's and don'ts of writing, I thought it best to let David share his most candid thoughts.

Liebster - a German word meaning ‘favorite’ or ‘dearest’. And now, it’s also the ‘favorite’ Liebster award.

And so with great humility I accept this award from two ‘dearest’ friends. Rebecca Ryals Russell and Anne E. Johnson cared enough to send this wonderful little award my way. Many thanks to these great ladies and fellow authors at MIU Publishing.

Rebecca Ryals Russell (http://rryalsrussell.com/) is a unique individual and also known as the Yellow Hat Writer. She holds a wonderful sense of humor and is a teller of great tails. Be sure to check out her Stardust Wars series as well as her Seraphrym Wars Series. Thank you Rebecca.

Anne E. Johnson (http://www.anneejohnson.com/) is a new and rising star in the published world. 2012 will be a tremendous year for her as she celebrates the book birthdays for Trouble at the Scriptorium, Ebenezer’s Locker and Green Light Delivery.

Congrats to both these fine authors and grateful thanks for the award. Now, in acceptance of this honor, I must now fulfill the same 5 requirements. The intent of the award is to recognize blogs who might not be receiving the recognition they deserve. So here goes (AND THESE ARE NO PARTICULAR ORDER):

GM Barlean.http://gmbarlean.wordpress.com/ Gina is flying high as her first Novel, Casting Stone, The Saving of James Raven makes it debut. Be sure to check out her blog and her book! She is a lovely writer and great friend. Victorine Lieske.http://victorinewrites.blogspot.com/ Vicki is a gem of and one heck of a great writer and marketer. She published her first book last year as an independent and took it to the NY Times Best Sellers List. But what is so wonderful about Vicki is she is all about helping her fellow writer friends.

Sabrina Sumsion.http://www.sabrinasumsion.com/ Sabrina is another great friend and writer in my local writing group. It’s friends like her that can encourage and keep me going even on my toughest writing days.

Wall-to-Wall Books Blog.http://wall-to-wall-books.blogspot.com/ Wendy is just one of the nearest and dearest reviewer I can mention. She is honest and frank with her reviews but is always the most positive and supportive people.

Boys and Books Blog.http://www.boystobooks.com/ Trudy is another wonderful reviewer. I adore the ladies who make such great efforts to encourage and support middle grade reading.

In High Spirits.http://diannesalerni.blogspot.com/ I was lucky enough to have a great book review on Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island by a middle grader herself on this lovely review blog. Gina and her mother, Dianne, offer a wonderful view into many great books and I’m honored to present them with this award.

Oops, I gave away six awards. Oh well. They are all so very deserving and I hope you will support them! Reading and Writing aren't the same without them!

I have a most fascinating guest with us today. Sue Perkins is a fellow MuseItUp Author and I have been intrigued with her writing since her tween book Spirit Stealer came out. I hope you enjoy Sue’s interview and excerpts. And thanks for joining us here today, Sue!

Thank you CK for inviting me to your blog.

The New Year got off to a good start for me. I had two new releases over the Christmas period and have been blog visiting for many days since. I try to do something different for each blog as I don't want to disappointment my hosts by using the same words all the time.

I've always loved to read and write fantasy books with a hint of romance but now I've branched out into Middle Grade fantasy books. I like to believe I write fantasy for the young of all ages.

How do I get my ideas? I have to admit my brain is so full of scenarios I find it difficult to choose one to develop into a book. I love my novels being released in ebook format because I feel it reaches a wider audience. Instead of people having to make the time to wander into a bookshop and meander through the shelves, my readers can sit at their computer and browse books in the comfort of their own home.

On the 30th December MuseItUp Publishing released my Middle Grade novel "Reva's Quest". MuseItUp is a great home for Middle Grade books and my first one, "Spirit Stealer" was released by them in October 2011. Both are fantasies.

On the 1st January Desert Breeze Publishing released a Young Adult novel "Dragon Flame" so 2012 has definitely started with all things wonderful.

I've included an excerpt of each below.

Excerpt from Reva’s Quest:

Reluctantly Reva went out into the untidy garden. Their house had remained empty for months before the Martin family moved in, and the garden still showed neglect. Tangled creepers intertwined with the lower branches of the trees, the ground below a mass of overgrown weeds. The thorns snatched at her clothes, making her struggle though the undergrowth more difficult. Hopefully Mum will think I’ve gone for a walk. Within moments, the tangled mess hid the house from view. Plants and trees crowded close welcoming her into their midst.

Stumbling, she grabbed the branch of a nearby tree to prevent herself from falling into a scum-covered pond. A garden gnome dangled his fishing rod in the water, but a layer of green slime hid the colour of his clothes.

“I didn't know we had a pond.” Reva wrinkled her nose at the disgusting water before peering at the sadly neglected ornament. “Poor gnome, let's see if I can clean you up a bit.”

She took a handkerchief from her pocket and dipped it in the pond, shuddering as the scum parted to reveal tangled plants beneath the surface. A puff of spore-laden air escaped from the weeds on the bank. Reva coughed as it invaded her nose. Breathing shallowly, and working carefully, the gnome's face and hands soon revealed chubby pink concrete skin and rosy red cheeks. Painted blue eyes stared sightlessly at the fishing rod. Another dip to moisten the handkerchief helped her wipe off the rest of his body. Bright yellow trousers, green jacket, and red hat shone through at the finish.

“There, that's better.” Reva smiled at the painted figure. “Now you can see what you're doing. I doubt if you've got much chance of catching anything, but I hope you feel better now you’re clean. I'll pop down tomorrow and wash you properly.”

Reva rose from her knees, brushed muddy hands against her thighs, waved to the gnome, and retreated up the garden to the house.

Tears sprang to Talei's eyes, but she forced herself to watch. Harmless animals were roasted where they stood, running people became pillars of fire, and buildings razed to the ground in the blink of an eye. If only they'd managed to get here earlier to warn Deen, so much could have been saved. The adults at the settlement would have found a way. Eventually, with nothing left to burn, the dragons turned and flew back the way they had come.

"Keep down," Talei warned the others. "Don't let them see us."

She noticed the huge, black dragon leading the group. It resembled the one she'd seen in the party field in Maass. Could it be the same beast? A group of boys and girls erupted from the bushes at the bottom of the hill, firing laser guns at the huge animals. Their efforts were in vain, and the shots bounced harmlessly off the armor plated hides.

"Get away, you fools." Talei said this more for her own comfort than to warn the group.

The huge triangular head turned toward the source of irritation.

A young man urged the others on but seeing the futility of the attack, he waved his troops back under cover. Unfortunately the lead dragon decided to follow the group, and within seconds their bush cover erupted in a ball of flame. Talei saw the teenagers had not stopped in the bushes, but gone straight through to the fast moving stream on the other side. Before the dragon could draw breath to flame again, the entire group jumped into the water where the strong current swept them downstream. The dragon roared and swung back to follow the other beasts.

Cautiously Talei and her group emerged from the trees. As the last of them crept out into the open the boys and girls reappeared at the bottom of the hill. They had only gone a short distance before climbing out of the water and hurrying back upstream. Anger darkened the face of the dark-haired young man who led his companions toward Talei.

"Well thanks for your aid." He came close enough for Talei to hear him, and she saw his black eyes sparkling with anger. "What did you think you were doing? You stood and watched our homes and family being destroyed without even trying to help."

I’m excited to have Marva Dasef on my blog today to discuss her new YA book, MIDNIGHT OIL, Book 2 of the Witches of Galdorheim Series. And she brings a special friend for us to meet a little lower in the post. Orca Character, Salmon Hunter will entertain you with his special Orca dialect.

MIDNIGHT OIL, Book 2 of the Witches of Galdorheim Series

Shipwrecked on a legendary island, how can a witch rescue her boyfriend if she can’t even phone home?

Kat discovers that an evil forest spirit has kidnapped her brand-new boyfriend. She sets out with her brother, Rune, from her Arctic island home on a mission to rescue the boy. Things go wrong from the start. Kat is thrown overboard during a violent storm, while her brother and his girlfriend are captured by a mutant island tribe. The mutants hold the girlfriend hostage, demanding that the teens recover the only thing that can make the mutants human again–the magical Midnight Oil.

Mustering every bit of her Wiccan magic, Kat rises to the challenge. She invokes her magical skills, learns to fly an ultralight, meets a legendary sea serpent, rescues her boyfriend, and helps a friendly air spirit win the battle against her spiteful sibling. On top of it all, she’s able to recover the Midnight Oil and help the hapless mutants in the nick of time.

Bio:

Marva Dasef is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a fat white cat. Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with several included in Best of anthologies. She has several already published books and the Witches of Galdorheim Series from her super duper publisher, MuseItUp.

Salmon the Orca

Chchchchch skreak! That be hello in human people talk. My name be Salmon Hunter because I so good hunting the fish. My friend Kat Witch calls me Salmon.

In our first story, when I meet her for first time, I save her from a white tooth she calls polar bear. The different thing this time, I save Kat Witch from sinking too deep in the ocean. I think she should learn swim better, but I not blame her since she has no fins or flukes.

But before saving time, I meet Kat Witch's pod. I remember Rune from last time, but get to meet Kat Witch's father's father. It's sad her father no longer lived, but I tell Kat Witch he be going to the warm oceans full of fish. That make her happy I think.

Someday I visit Kat Witch home. It island named Skeckkeeech. It mean witches’ home. It way north and hard to find, but Salmon can find anything! Salmon is a hunter, after all. Here be part of the story showing me meeting Kat Witch's pod.

Excerpt:

She heard a voice and looked around for the source. Rune and Nadia had their heads together, and Ivansi was facing forward, intent on the helm. The voice came again, and she sensed it was inside her mind. She stood and scanned the choppy surface of the sea. A few hundred yards to port, a killer whale breached the surface, rose impossibly high and flipped downward, smacking its flukes on the surface.

“Skr pop skreee,” the whale whistled.

“Salmon!” Kat exclaimed, pointing toward the whale.

Nadia looked where Kat pointed then turned back with a puzzled expression. “Not salmon, Kat,” she shouted over the engine’s roar. “Orca.”

“No, his name is Salmon, and he’s an old friend of mine,” Kat said with a laugh. She stood, reached into the wheelhouse and tugged Ivansi’s sleeve to get his attention. “Stop the boat, Grandfather!”

Turning to the starboard side, she saw the hunters approaching fast, their paddles flashing in the sun as the kayak sped across the waves. They circled the motorboat and headed directly toward Salmon, who was breaching and slapping his tail.

The killer whale popped his massive head above the surface. Kat knew his flukes were stroking hard beneath the surface to keep him upright. Spyhopping, as sailors called this maneuver, allows the whale to see what’s happening at a distance on the surface. Salmon slowly turned in a circle, his great black head dipping up and down. He spotted the kayak coming at him with only two of the hunters paddling, and he emitted a piercing whistle. The third hunter, the one in front, stood braced in the prow of the boat holding a harpoon at the ready.

“No!” Kat screamed at the hunters. “Don’t hurt him!”

Rune jumped up as the harpooner drew his arm back, ready to throw the barbed missile. The young warlock raised both hands toward the harpooner and bowed his head. Kat saw his eyes close, and his lips began to move, readying his own barb—a magical spell.

“Just the harpoon,” Kat shouted. “Just the harpoon!”

Throwing a quick glance at his sister, Rune scowled. “Right, right,” he said and then launched his spell. The harpoon flew out of the hunter’s hands and splashed harmlessly in the water, surprising him so much he fell backward onto the man behind him.

Ivansi followed the commotion. He revved the engine again and changed course to intercept the kayak, which was standing still in the water.

Kat squeezed into the cramped wheelhouse. “Grandfather, um, the Orca is my friend.” Ivansi nodded and slowed the motorboat to come up on the kayak without swamping the smaller craft.

The paddlers in the kayak were yelling at the harpooner, who looked bewildered. When the motorboat was close enough, Ivansi came out of the cabin and shouted to the hunters. Kat hoped he was telling them to leave Salmon alone. The hunters sat, looking around in confusion.

Kat sent a message to Salmon, but this time tested her ability to transmit without speaking aloud. Her voice wouldn’t carry far enough. “It’s okay. You can come back now.”

A whalish chuckle sounded behind her. Kat turned to see Salmon floating on the surface, his flopped-over dorsal fin identifying her orca friend.

We all see it. On the television, in video games, some of us have he misfortune of witnessing it in real life. Some of us more than once.

I myself have been a witness to death’s clammy hand escorting a loved one from this world. I have seen the aftermath of this process and I have also seen a person pull from the grip of that hand and return to the living. She was certainly on her way down the path until us humans intervened and escorted her back.

Death, I’m afraid, is all around us.

* Daniel Defoe wrote, "Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed." in his novel, The Political History of the Devil.

* “After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” JK Rowling

* Death is a delightful hiding place for weary men. ~Herodotus

* The graveyards are full of indispensable men. ~Charles de Gaull

* End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... And then you see it.

* What? Gandalf?... See what?

* White shores... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise. ~The Return of the King

Most every story involves death, the threat of death or the fear of death. So, how should the writer handle such a sensitive subject?

Hold up. Sensitive? We watch people (actors actually) die in gruesome, dramatic ways every day on the television. Video games allow us to do the killing and have become so realistic that one can take a life and then mutilate the body simply for the sake of entertainment. Is such a commonplace occurrence really a sensitive subject? Tragic? Horrifying?

The answer is yes. When you care about the person. When you loved them and they loved you in return. Then, it matters. When you lose a child, it matters. When you aren’t ready for them to go or they aren’t ready to walk down the path where the grey rain-curtain rolls back, it is terrible, tragic, horrifying even. But…death will come for us all. A vampire may be immortal, yet Anne Rice is as mortal as you and I and while her tales will live on, she will certainly walk the path.

So, how then, as an author, should one deal with death? Think about several things. First, think about your readers. Are they adults? Teens? Children? Everyday adults, teens and yes, even children deal with death. They deal in different ways and as writers; we must be sensitive to that.

If you’re writing a picture book for five-year-olds, I probably wouldn’t have Billy turn into a zombie and feast on the flesh of his still living parents –not necessarily because seeing Billy the zombie boy would be so horrifying for the reader but because in that context, there is little opportunity to discuss how other characters in the story deal with those deaths.

HERE is where the obligation comes in. We are obligated to provide enough character development in the story for the reader to see that the death or deaths do impact the emotions of those characters. There is an emotional price to pay in losing someone close or even witnessing the death of a stranger and our characters must pay it.

If you’re writing for elementary school children you damn well better see that your characters take the time to work through the deaths they have witnessed. There must be a struggle. A self-examination. In the case of mid-grade and teens it may be even more important because they now have an understanding of the finality of it and probably more than half have experienced it on a personal level.

Harry Potter struggled with death in all of the seven books. The death of his parents, the death of his godfather. Yes, he was a wizard but he was also a human and dealt with loss as a human does. There is ALWAYS an emotional price to pay when someone close to your main character dies just as in life. ALWAYS.

Another great example: The bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson. I’m sure most of us have read it. If not, it is a must-read.

Us YA writers are obligated to take this seriously. And why wouldn’t you? An emotional struggle is an excellent development tool. It can lead to great and terrible things. The end result doesn’t need to be normal (think Darth Vader) but the struggle as a result of loss, exposure to horrible things or being forced to partake in an act resulting in death –or, the extreme, willingly deciding to take another life always need be present because we’re writing about humans for humans. If they don’t care that they’ve just dropped a boulder on top of Piggy’s head then something is wrong with those characters and THAT better be explained.

Marcus can’t decide to walk onto his school bus and go on a shooting spree for no reason. We need a back-story, an investigation -a trigger that set Marcus in this final deadly direction. It’s never cut and dry. He’s never simply a cold-blooded killer. The black and white of good and evil is best left to the television and movie producers who feel no obligation to delve into the emotional ramifications of death.

YA readers struggle emotionally with virtually everything at one time or another during their maturing process. They are hyper-sensitive to the goings on around them, which is why they are drawn to the books that embellish love, over-accentuate action, encapsulate them in drama and yes, face that fearful subject of death.

George R. R. Martin’s novels depict death, rape and murder as if they were as commonplace as road-rage is in our world. First, his books are for adults and second, that extremely visceral and horrifying world he takes his readers into is, for the most part, an accurate description of the historical period that he created his novels around. The cold, hard, truth of a terrible world. Good reading? Perhaps. For the YA audience? No.

Consider your readers. Consider your own experiences and consider the ramifications of your characters emotional responses to the circumstances that surround them. A lack of response is still a response, which very often leads to something more compelling later on in the story.

If Timmy doesn’t care that he just fed his little sister to the crocodile at the zoo, you better have a damn good explanation as to why. Otherwise, not only are you creating an empty, virtually useless character, but your story as a whole will be drug down by that one character who murdered for its own sake and that isn’t a compelling story at all.

J. R. Wagner is the author of Exiled, book one of The Never Chronicles. Exiled is releasing June 5th of this year.

Welcome, Mindy. Can you tell us about the main character of Stained Glass Summer, 12-year old Jasmine? What was she like before her Father abandoned the family and what was she like after?

When the story opens, Jasmine lives in Chicago and wants to be an artist. Jasmine’s Father is an award winning photographer and she adores him. Her favorite thing to do is work, side-by-side in her Father’s studio. Jasmine is devastated when her Father chooses to abandon her and her Mom. But, Jasmine is a survivor, and when Uncle Jasper visits, Jasmine sees an opportunity she can’t pass up—a chance to spend the summer with her Uncle on a small island in the Pacific Northwest and learn a little bit about stained glass.

What is the cause of her Father’s choice to leave the family? Jasmine’s parents have been at odds for years. Her Father is a successful photographer and spends most of his time working on his photography rather than spending time with the family. He finally decides to leave and follow his photography career. Has Jasmine always been a creative soul? What caught her eye to create stained glass?

Jasmine has always enjoyed art. She takes Saturday art lessons at the Art Palace. Unfortunately, at age twelve, she is too old for art classes at the Art Palace which only teaches younger children, and she is too young to work as a teacher’s helper. As a former seventh grade teacher, this age problem was something I saw often. At age twelve and thirteen, tweens were too old for elementary school classes and activities, but too young for jobs in the community. The middle school years (grades 6-8) can be hard because you’re “in the middle.” I wanted to acknowledge that struggle in this story.

When Jasmine arrives on the Island, she meets Opal who is a glass artist and a friend of her Uncle’s. When Opal offers a contest in stained glass, Jasmine jumps at the chance to learn a new skill and show she can be the best—just like her Father.

Opal sounds like a fascinating character. Tell us more about her. I have a feeling she is a major influence on Jasmine. Opal is a glass artist who owns a glass art shop on the island. Opal is a successful glass artist, but, Opal is not like Jasmine’s Father. Opal believes in community and being of service to others. She shows Jasmine how to redefine her understanding of what makes a successful artist.

How is life on a Pacific Northwest Island different from where Jasmine was raised?

On the Island, everyone knows everyone—something 13-year-old Cole points out on their first bike ride into town. But, island life takes getting used to for Jasmine. For example, she is frustrated when her cell phone does not work very well. Jasmine is waiting a phone call from her Father (which never comes), and she can only get reception when she is in town. In Jasmine’s words…what would she like to say to the tween who is reading her story? What words of advice would she give her reader? If your parents get divorced, it’s not your fault. I thought Dad left because of something I had done. I believed that if I won art awards like Dad, then he would love me. The best thing to happen was for me to move to the Island and learn about mentorship. Not everyone can move to a small Island. But everyone can have or be a mentor. If you want to find out more about mentoring in your community, here are some great resources:

Share a little bit of your perseverance with getting Stained Glass Summer to print. You’ve got quite a story I began writing Stained Glass Summer ten years ago. A friend gave me three pieces of broken glass she had found in an art supply store dumpster and Jasmine’s character popped into my head. What I love about the long journey of Stained Glass Summer is the story took me to so many places. The journey began when I applied for and was accepted to the National Book Foundation Summer Writing Camp. It was at Camp that I met Ann Angel and Norma Fox Mazer who both encouraged me to apply for the Vermont College MFA in Writing for Children Program. I was accepted to the program and traveled to Vermont two times a year for residencies. I met many great people who worked on this story including: Ron Koertge, Liza Ketchum, Sharon Darrow, and Lisa Jahn Clough. After graduating, I spent another six years submitting. It came close to being published a couple times, but each time, the story wasn’t “quite right for them”. Finally, I sent the manuscript to freelance editor, Sarah Cloots. She suggested the story become a middle grade novel. It was Sarah who titled the story, Stained Glass Summer. When I saw Musa was looking for YA and middle grade submissions, I sent off a query and partial. A few hours later, I received an e-mail from the editor requesting full. A week later, I received a contract. I’m thrilled to be a part of e-book publishing, and I know that Stained GlassSummer found the exact right home.

You can buy Stained Glass Summer at your favorite on-line bookstore or through Musa Publishing.

Photo by Heidi PettitLeave a comment to WIN a FREE Copy of Dragonswood!

Dragonswood

In a dark time when girls with powers are called witches, Tess escapes the witch hunter and hides with a mysterious huntsman until magical voices draw her deeper into Dragonswood where she learns the secret of her birth. Caught between love and loyalty, Tess chooses the hardest path of all – her own.

* “A dark fantasy illuminated by piercing flashes of hope.”

--Kirkus starred review

“.. perfectly crafted combination of history, mythology, and fantasy. . . The political intrigue, mythology of Merlin, and romances that bloom . . . . will have readers racing toward the end and then going back to savor the events more slowly.” --School Library Journal starred review

Thanks for joining us today Janet. I'm so excited to have you. And it's so gracious of you to offer a FREE book giveaway. All our readers have to do is leave a comment for a chance to WIN a FREE copy of Dragonswood!

I’m terrified of spiders (Like Ron in Harry Potter) I go all squeamish around them and used to have my brothers suck them up with the vacuum cleaner. Strangely enough spider webs appeared in a few places in Dragonswood:

“I found a small alcove near the top of the waterfall where I might sit away from the swirling mist. I watched a spider spinning her web across the entryway. The mist hung in droplets from her silk, each drop seemed to catch fire as the wisps sped past.

Onadon already had marriage plans in mind. How was that any different from the blacksmith who eyed me like his raw metal he could shape by force? Was one father’s magic much different than the other’s mallet? I am not property.”

I realized after writing the scene that the spider web represented Tess’s feeling of entrapment. She’s expected to marry a man she doesn’t love. I’ve learned the things I fear have a power that can translate into my fiction in surprising ways.

It's fascinating to hear you find out things about yourself as you write. I'm the same way. What was your favorite book as a teen? Tell us about it and how it affected you as a person.

I loved reading Tolkien’s and Ursula Le Guin’s fantasies as a teen, but the novel that was the most life-changing for me at age 16 was Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha. The book opened me up to a whole new world. I was already on a search for authenticity, self-knowledge, and spirituality. I started a regular meditation practice after reading Siddhartha. The novelalso led to my first charity event, a music and dance festival with Indian music to raise money for famine relief in Bangladesh. All of that life change came out of reading that one book.

Because of my own life-changing experiences through books, my novels tend to touch on awakening spirit.

I'm going to have to check that book out. Sounds delightful. Tell us about Dragonswood. How did it come about?

The idea for the first part of the novel came when I learned the details of the witch trials in medieval Europe. I discovered women accused of witchcraft were not only tortured and made to confess, they were often forced to give up names of other women they knew. The idea appalled me. I instantly knew there was a story in it. I imagined a tale of friendship and betrayal. The novel tests the main character’s loyalty to her friends, her family, to her first love, and ultimately to herself.

I'm so excited about this book. Would you share your favorite excerpt/scene?

One of my favorite scenes happens midway through the novel when the fairies steal Tess:

“As I squatted, damp and shivering, holding my hands out to the fire, darkness weighed down over the world like a hushed, black wave about to fall. I was far from humankind, yet I felt I was being observed like an insect under a mage-glass. I glanced about. No eyes glared from the woods. I heard familiar scuttling noises of small forest creatures and the dry, dusty sound of flitting wings.

Still I sensed something else. Who watches? I looked left and right.

Then in that hour light came, thrown like a ball to the base of a tree. One circling flame falling, then another, and another. I screamed as the light orbs piled up on all sides. Heat washed over me, drying my damp clothes to the stiffness of brown leaves. The rushing sound of flames hushed all else in the night wood. In brightness, I was lifted, swung, paraded through the forest on waves of living fire that did not scorch or burn, but sang beneath me:

Eshkataa breelyn kataa. Bring her in, her in, her in.

Fairy bound in human skin. Bring her in, her in, her in.”

Your book trailer is divine. Tell us about it.

This was our first time making a book trailer. We collected photos. I wrote the script/music and sang. My husband, Tom, played the Turkish saz. Our son, Aaron, recorded the music. I loved creating the trailer. Our goal was to “deliver the shiver.”

How awesome that you wrote everything in your trailer and even sang your recorded son. Excellent job. How has writing affected your life? And what’s your favorite part of being a writer?

Writing affects every part of my life. Story is a source of inspiration for me. I don’t know what I’d do without it. I need stories like I need food and water. My favorite part of being a writer is that moment when the story sings and I’m carried away into another place and time. A story is a doorway. You only have to open it and go inside:

~Open as you have beforeLet the traveler though the doorFrom the opening beginThe only way out is in~--from The Beast of Noor

What advice can you give regarding the writing process?

Apprentice yourself to the work. It takes a lifetime to learn how to write a good novel, but we all start at the same place – a blank page. Begin where you are and start the climb. It’s worth it.

Regarding publication and marketing, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Writing is a solitary profession. That said we writers need a lot of support. It helps to find a good critique group and learn how to revise from critique. (Learning to revise in my critique group saved me years later when I received my first long editorial letter.) Read. Read. Read. Write.Write.Write. Attend writing conferences, but don’t contact an editor or agent until your novel is complete, revised, and ready to send. Finally every writer gets rejections. Believe in yourself and keep writing.

The book birthday blog contest is over and the votes are all in. But before I announce the winners, I just want to say thank you to my most gracious hosts who helped me celebrate my book birthday for A Horse Called Trouble. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends. (I do still have one more contest coming up if you missed this blog tour adventure. :-)

I also want to thank all the visitors that celebrated with me. It was such a joy to see you join me and share your thoughts and comments.

Now, I know I promised to give away 10 book with this blog tour, but I changed my mind. I decided to give away 15! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life, I want to share the joy. So, without further ado...the winners of the free e-book, A Horse Called Trouble, are (in no given order)

There is still time to enter in to win a FREE e-copy of A Horse Called Trouble. Please visit any or all of the sites below and leave me a comment to gain a chance to win a FREE d-copy of my book to put on that e-reader you're getting for Christmas. Good luck everyone. Winners will be announced the end of next week.Merry Christmas!

A Horse Called Trouble

A young teen must overcome her abusive past to save the defiant horse who taught her to love and trust again. Can Tara save Trouble? Or will Alissa destroy them both?

A Horse Called TroubleA troubled teen must overcome her abused past to save the defiant horse who taught her to love and trust again.Available in Print and e-book

View the book trailer for A Horse Called Trouble

Welcome to my blog.

Hi. I'm C.K. Volnek, Author and Story teller. I love books and photography, dogs and horses, hiking and tulips, kids, pasta, sunsets and of course…writing. Please come back often and share your passion in writing..